8. Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes fair value measurements based on the types of inputs used for the various valuation techniques (market approach, income approach, and cost approach). The levels of the hierarchy are described below:

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; these include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity.

The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.

The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate:

Cash and cash equivalents

The fair value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents approximates the carrying value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, due to the short maturity of the cash equivalents and as such is a Level 1 measurement.

Loan to the JIVDC

The fair value of the Company’s loan to the JIVDC was based on the present value of the projected future cash flows discounted at 14%, which we believe approximates the return a market participant would require. Since the projections are based on management’s internal projections, the Company concluded that this instrument should be classified as a Level 3 measurement.

Long-term debt

The fair value of the Company’s Term Loan A and Term Loan B components of its senior secured credit facility and senior unsecured notes are estimated based on quoted prices in active markets and as such is a Level 1 measurement. The fair value of the remainder of the Company’s senior secured credit facility approximates its carrying value as it is revolving, variable rate debt and as such is a Level 2 measurement.

Other long-term obligations at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 included the relocation fees for Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course and the repayment obligation of a hotel and event center located near Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg. The fair value of the relocation fees for Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course and the repayment obligation for the hotel and event center are estimated based on rates consistent with the Company’s credit rating for comparable terms and debt instruments and as such are Level 2 measurements.

Other liabilities

Other liabilities at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are primarily comprised of the contingent purchase price consideration related to the purchases of Plainridge Racecourse. The fair value of the Company’s contingent purchase price consideration related to its Plainridge Racecourse acquisition is estimated based on a discounted cash flow model and as such is a Level 3 measurement. At each reporting period, the Company assesses the fair value of these liabilities and changes in their fair values are recorded in earnings. The amount related to the change in fair value of these obligations resulted in a charge to general and administrative expense of $1.1 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values by input level of the Company’s financial instruments at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows (in thousands):


	March 31, 2018
	Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	217,997	$	217,997	$	217,997	$	—	$	—
Loan to the JIVDC		20,613		16,677		—		—		16,677
Financial liabilities:
Long-term debt
Senior secured credit facility		688,251		716,634		716,634		—		—
Senior unsecured notes		399,270		385,000		385,000		—		—
Other long-term obligations		111,674		106,402		—		106,402		—
Other liabilities		23,810		23,810		—		—		23,810


	December 31, 2017
	Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	277,953	$	277,953	$	277,953	$	—	$	—
Loan to the JIVDC		20,900		16,533		—		—		16,533
Financial liabilities:
Long-term debt
Senior secured credit facility		730,787		760,456		760,456		—		—
Senior unsecured notes		399,249		412,000		412,000		—		—
Other long-term obligations		119,310		113,460		—		113,460		—
Other liabilities		22,696		22,696		—		—		22,696

The following table summarizes the changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 liabilities (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2018
	Liabilities
	Contingent
	Purchase Price
Balance at January 1, 2018	$	22,696
Additions		—
Payments		(20)
Included in earnings		1,134
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	23,810

The following table summarizes the significant unobservable inputs used in calculating fair value for the Company’s Level 3 liabilities:


	Valuation	Unobservable
	Technique	Input	Discount Rate
Contingent purchase price - Plainridge	Discounted cash flow	Discount rate	7.60	%